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Healthy and Tasty Turkey Meatballs

Healthy and Tasty Turkey Meatballs

Sometimes, I just don’t know where to start when I write about a recipe.

Do I tell you how Paige ate so many of these meatballs that I wondered if she was hiding them in her shirt for later? Or do I tell you how Will was reluctant to eat them but ended up cleaning his plate once he got a taste of these? Do I mention how these actually taste like the party meatballs I bought at Costco, which have much higher fat and calorie content?

Or maybe I should just start with the reason I made these . . . A few weeks ago I did a survey on Sarah’s Cucina Bella. I was happy to hear the responses and suggestions and I listened. But it really hit home that I need to have more healthy food and, sadly, less bacon. So, I am working with fish and looking at ways to go vegetarian for dinner without resorting to pasta. All of that is coming.

What I won’t promise is to eliminate all the sweets and bad-for-you stuff. Life is about balance. You take the healthy with the not-so-healthy and you achieve a good balance of food. After all, the body needs both fat and nutrients to run like a well-oiled machine.

With Christmas around the corner, there will, of course, be cookie recipes galore over the next few weeks. But they will be sandwiched between healthier content.

Regarding these meatballs: They are perfect for dinners, served with a delicious vegetable or two. Or they can be sandwiched in a roll for a meatball sub. Or, serve them as cocktail meatballs at your next party.

You won’t be disappointed.

More Turkey Meatball Recipes:

Healthy and Tasty Turkey Meatballs

Mini Turkey Meatballs

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup low-fat milk
  • 1 shallot, finely minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 1/4 lbs ground turkey

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Stir together the bread crumbs and milk in a large bowl. Stir in the shallot, garlic, egg, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Add the ground turkey and knead together until completely combined.
  3. Roll the turkey mixture into 1 inch balls and place on a baking sheet that's either lightly sprayed with cooking oil or (my preference) covered with easy-release aluminum foil.
  4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping the meatballs once. Meatballs are done when they are lightly browned outside and there is no pink inside.

Shelli

Thursday 19th of April 2012

Are the breadcrumbs you are using gluten free. If not do you still think the meatballs will be tasty using the gluten free breadcrumbs.

sarah

Thursday 19th of April 2012

No, I don't generally use gluten-free bread products. However, I am sure that gluten-free breadcrumbs could be substituted here without losing the flavor.

The Barefoot Kitchen » Blog Archive » Tasty Turkey Spinach Meatballs - Following the Food Meme

Wednesday 21st of January 2009

[...] took my inspiration from her work, and her inspiration (a recipe from Sarah’s Cucina Bella), and gave it my own twist.  I combined a grated pecorino romano with a little bit of panko to [...]

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)

Wednesday 26th of November 2008

Another way to get more flavor into meatballs is to substitute dry falafel mix for the breadcrumbs. The mix contains ground chickpeas plus spices, and really boost the flavor of the mild turkey.

Kalyn

Wednesday 26th of November 2008

I love meatballs, and they sound just delicious! Never would have thought of adding thyme to turkey meatballs but it's a great idea.

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